DNA-mediated charge transport by minor groove-binding polyamide

A novel polyamide-modified electrode was fabricated successfully by surface synthesis. The DNA-mediated charge transport by minor groove-binding polyamide was observed for the first time with a [Ru(NH3)6]2+/3+ probe. Two control experiments on HSC11H22NH2 SAM/Au electrode, with and without DNA adsorption, confirmed that polyamide–DNA complex was a medium of charge transport. Four different DNA sequences were employed to investigate the effect of the charge transport of the polyamide–DNA complex in the minor groove. The peak current and a positive shift of peak potential were enhanced with the affinity increase between polyamide and DNA sequences. The experimental result offers a powerful tool for exquisite recognition of different sequences of base-pairs in double-stranded DNA.